No sooner had word come down about the Dolphins trading tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, then the report about Miami seeking a tight end surfaced.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the Dolphins to be in conversations with "multiple teams," about trading for a tight end.
Immediately the overreactive section of Bears fans who frequent social media pointed at Cole Kmet and started throwing around all sorts of potential trade ideas, some with running back De'Von Achane coming to the Bears in exchange. D'Andre Swift was even thrown into some of these fictional and rash reactions.
Honestly, some of the numbers do line up for Kmet being dealt, not that they want to trade him. Kmet's contract removed from the Bears' payroll on a trade right now saves $10 million with a $1.6 million hit or dead cap.
If you are the #Bears, are you having trade discussions regarding TE Cole Kmet? pic.twitter.com/zyvj7xoSbP
— Chicago Bears Network (@bearsnetwork_) June 30, 2025
However, the cap space is not something the Bears need at this moment.
What seems to escape everyone who talks about Kmet being traded is someone named Ben Johnson.
Give us a 3rd or a 4th and Cole Kmet is all yours https://t.co/qyzalmbpni
— Jay (@BearsAndBJs) June 30, 2025
Johnson needs Kmet. He might need Kmet more than he needs another running back and definitely needs him more than he needs Achane.
This is because of his emphasis on 12-personnel packages, the two-tight end formations.
Kmet realized this when confronted by reporters at Halas Hall about the selection of tight end Colston Loveland.
Ryan Poles needs to give a call down to Miami ASAP to see if they would like the services of Cole Kmet.
— Brandon Murchison (@RotoSuperstar) June 30, 2025
The Dolphins could use a starting caliber TE now. pic.twitter.com/9DW8DlXFLZ
"I'm excited about it," Kmet said. "I'm excited to not only push him but then for him to push me. We're going to make each other better.
"I think the goal with it is to become the best 12(-personnel) tandem in the league and see where we can take it from there."
Cole Kmet straight up for Archane might be possible
— Stunt Messiah (@stunt_messiah_) July 1, 2025
Kmet AND Swift is a lil too much
Adding a 3rd? Absolute MADNESS
The Lions started 11 games with an extra tight end last year and Johnson ran the team out there in those packages 38% of the time. They used it twice as often as the Bears did last year.
Detroit had a 49% success rate on those plays, according to Sports Info Solutions.
Trading Kmet would be the most retarded move to do right now unless the draft compensation is significant. Go sign an edge rusher and call it an offseason.
— Tanner (@Tanner23062) June 30, 2025
A successful play is 40% of yards to the sticks on first down, 60% of necessary yards on second down and 100% on third or fourth down. Not only did the Bears finish 20th in use of 12-personnel packages last year but when they used it they had the league's worst success rate according to SIS.com.
But Detroit had the sixth-highest success rate while using it the second most in the league, and a year earlier they had the second-best rate. They were doing it with Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.
Bears aren’t trading Kmet nor do they have reason to trade Kmet at this point.
— Anthony Sisk (@AnthonyJSisk) June 30, 2025
Obviously the Bears see tremendous potential for this package with Loveland as their version of LaPorta teamed with Kmet in the Wright role as in-line tight end.
If they trade Kmet, who then is their other 12-personnel tight end? Durham Smythe? He has 132 catches in seven seasons has been an average blocker and is an ideal third as someone who can play either the move tight end or in-line.
If money was the issue with Jonnu Smith, how are the Dolphins going to pay the ~$10M owed to guys like Kyle Pitts, Noah Fant, Cole Kmet, Dawson Knox etc. if they trade for them?
— Andrew Cooper (@CoopAFiasco) June 30, 2025
Gotta think a little cheaper here probably, like Michael Mayer or Austin Hooper or something. https://t.co/WA4ILtGcis
The idea isn't to have a good 12-personnel package. They can actually have the best one with Kmet and Loveland.
Also, the idea of trading Achane isn't necessarily something the Dolphins want to do even after drafting Ollie Gordon in Round 6. Achane isn't the physical back the Bears lack, anyway. He isn't even 190 pounds.
Beyond all of that, there are cap ramifications for Miami in trying to obtain a tight end who signed a $50 million contract extension just two years ago.
Ben Johnson has a vision for his offense and the Bears need to let him realize it with a potentially devastating 12-personnel package.
Why do people who have no clue what they are writing about keep putting out BS like Cole Kmet is a top trade candidate? No he’s not!!!
— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) June 23, 2025
Kmet and Loveland DO NOT play the same position. Kmet is a Y, Loveland is an H or F and can’t play Y.
This stuff is strictly click bait and not…
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